Vehicle light control and warning indicator system

ABSTRACT

An automatic lamp disconnecting system for vehicle lighting systems having a lamp energizing circuit including a normally open relay switch in series with a manual lamp control switch. Magnetic means for closing the relay switch is energized through the vehicle ignition switch and through a separate holding circuit comprising, in series connection, the relay switch, the lamp control switch, and a normally closed thermal time delay switch which has a heating element responsive to energization of the vehicle lamp only when the ignition switch is opened to effect opening of said time delay switch a predetermined time after opening of the ignition switch.

United States Patent Inventor Laverne R. Newman St. Clair Shores, Mich.App]. No. 715,314 Filed Mar. 22, 1968 Patented May 25, 1971 AssigneeEssex International, Inc.

Fort Wayne, Ind.

VEHICLE LIGHT CONTROL AND WARNING INDICATOR SYSTEM 16 Claims, 4 DrawingFigs.

Primary Examiner-Alvin H. Waring Attorney-Bah, Freeman and MolinareABSTRACT: An automatic lamp disconnecting system for vehicle lightingsystems having a lamp energizing circuit including a normally open relayswitch in series with a manual lamp control switch. Magnetic means forclosing the relay switch is energized through the vehicle ignitionswitch and through a separate holding circuit comprising, in seriesconnection, the relay switch, the lamp control switch, and a normallyclosed thermal time delay switch which has a heating element responsiveto energization of the vehicle lamp only when the ignition switch isopened to effect opening of said time delay switch a predetermined timeafter opening of the ignition switch.

HEAD/AMP, .SW/TCH M /5 HEADLAMP By 9455 .SW/TCH 20 /2 24 22 2 ,3//c;/v/r/0/v 29 1 sw/rcH 7'0 /6N/7/0/V the ignition system has beenturned off by the ignition switch 12. The normally open contacts 18 ofthe relay 16 are connected in the energizing circuit of the lamp 14between the stationary contact of the control switch 15 and the terminal19 of the lamp 14. The coil 20 of the relay 16 is grounded at one endand at the other end is connected to the junction point 21 of twounidirectional conducting elements or diodes 22 and 23. The other sideof the diode 22 is connected to the ignition switch 12 at its junctionpoint 24 with the ignition circuit supply conductor 13. Also connectedto the junction point 24 is one end of the coil 25 of an auxiliaryelectromagnetic relay 26 which has normally closed contacts 27. Theother end of the relay coil 25 is grounded as is the stationary contactof the relay contacts 27. The time delay switch 17 is depicted as athermally actuated device comprising a movable contact 28 in the form ofa bimetal strip, a stationary contact 29 normally engaged by the movablecontact 28, and a heating element or resistance winding 30 which is in aheat transferring relation with the movable contact 28. The heatingelement 30 is con nected at one end to the movable contact of the relaycontacts 27 and at the other end to ajunction point 31, which in turn,is connected to the movable contact 28 and to one side of the diode 23.The stationary contact 29 of the time delay switch 17 is connected tothe lamp 14 at terminal 19.

In operation, the closing of the ignition switch 12 will energize therelay coil 25, thereby opening the relay contacts 27. At the same time,the relay coil 20 is energized from the battery through a first relayenergizing circuit composed of the supply line 11, ignition switch 12,diode 22, and coil 20 to ground. Energization of the coil 20 causes therelay contacts 18 to close. If the control switch is closed, theilluminating lamp 14 is energized through a lamp energizing circuitcomposed of the control switch 15 and the relay contacts 18. Byoperating the control switch 15, the lamp 14 may be turned on and off asdesired. Although the lamp 14 is connected to the junction point 21 bythe .diode 23 and the contacts 28 and 29 of the time delay switch 17,the blocking action of the diode 23 prevents energization of the lamp 14through the ignition switch 12 and thediode 22. It will also be apparentthat the opened relay contacts 27 prevent energization of the heatingelement 30 whenever the ignition switch 12 is closed.

When the control switch 15 is left closed after turning off the ignitionswitch 12, the coil of the main relay 16 will remain energized through asecond relay energizing circuit extending from the battery 10 throughthe supply line 11, the control switch 15, relay contacts 18, terminal19, contacts 28 and 29, junction point 31, diode 23, junction point 21,and relay coil 20 to ground. Thus, the lamp 14 will remain energizeduntil either the control switch 15 or the relay contacts 18 are opened.As the diode 22 blocks any current flow from the junction point 21 tothe junction point 24, the ignition system and the coil of the auxiliaryrelay 26 will be deenergized when the ignition switch 12 is opened. Therelay contacts 27 close upon deenergization of the coil 25 to energizethe heating element of the time delay switch 17 from the battery 10 in acircuit comprising the supply line 11, control switch 15, relay contacts18, terminal 19, contacts 28 and 29, junction point 31, heating element30, and relay contacts 27 to ground. The current flow through theheating element 30 causes the heating element to heat the movablecontact 28. After a predetermined time interval, the movable contact 28is sufficiently heated to disengage from the contact 29. Upon opening ofthe contacts 28 and 29, the second energizing circuit of the relay coil20 is interrupted to cause the relay contacts 18 to open therebyenergizing the lamp 14 and the time delay switch 17. The lamp 14, thetime delay switch 17, and the relay coil 20 will remain deenergizeduntil the ignition switch is closed even though the contact 28 uponcooling again en gages the contact 29 since relay contacts 18, whichhave now been opened, prevent the reinitiation of current flow from thebattery 10 to the contacts 28 and 29. Thus, no current will be drawn byany part of the light control system in its inactive condition.

If desired, the light control system shown in FIG. 1 may be providedwith a manually operated bypass switch 32 to permit operation of thelamp 14 without using the ignition switch 12. The switch 32 may beconnected between the supply line 11 and the junction point 24 in shuntwith the ignition switch 12. It will be obvious that if the switch 32 isclosed the relay coil 20 will be energized to permit energization of thelamp 14 through the control switch 15 and the relay contacts 18. Whenthe switch 32 is only momentarily closed, the lamp 14 will beautomatically deenergized after a predetermined time interval. If theswitch 32 is maintained closed, the lamp 14 will remain energized aslong as the control switch 15 is not opened.

DESCRIPTION OF SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 2 illustrates anotherembodiment of the invention wherein components similar to correspondingcomponents of the FIG. 1 circuit are identified by the same referencenumerals with the prefix 1. In this embodiment, the relay 26 of the FIG.1 embodiment has been eliminated by the substitution for the relaycontacts 27 of an auxiliary switch 127 associated with the ignitionswitch 112. The switch 127 is controlled in such manner that when theignition switch 112 is closed, the switch 127 will be opened. Also arelay 116 with dual-coil electromagnetic actuating means has beensubstituted for the single coil relay l6 and the two diodes 22 and 23 ofthe FIG. 1 embodiment. The magnetic structure of the relay 116 includestwo coils 120A and 120B which are arranged and connected so that when;either is individually or simultaneously energized they will actuate therelay contacts 118 to a closed position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the energizing circuit for the illuminating lamp 114extends from the battery through the supply line 111, relay contacts118, junction point 140, control switch 115, terminal 119, and lamp 114to ground. One end of the relay coil 120A is grounded while the otherend is connected at the junction point 124 with the ignition switch 112and the ignition circuit supply conductor 113. One end of the relay coil120B is grounded while the other end is connected to the lamp terminal119 through the junction point 131 and the contacts 128 and 129 of thetime delay switch 117. The heating element 130 of the time delay switch117 is connected at one end to the junction point 131 and at the otherend to the stationary contact of the auxiliary switch 127 which has itsmovable contact grounded.

The operation of the second embodiment is generally the same asdescribed in connection with the first embodiment. The closing of theignition switch 112 opens its associated switch 127 while at the sametime the relay coil 120A is energized to cause closing of the relaycontacts 118. The illuminating lamp 114 may then be energized as desiredby closing the control switch 115. The relay coil 1208 will also beenergized in a second relay energizing circuit through the contacts 128and 129 of the time delay switch 117 whenever the illuminating lamp 114is energized, but the opened switch 127 prevents energization of theheating element 130.

If the control switch is left closed after the ignition switch 112 hasbeen opened, the relay coil 1208 will remain energized through a holdingcircuit extending from the battery 110 through the relay contacts 118,the control switch 115, and the contacts 128 and 129 of the time delayswitch 117. However, the closing of the auxiliary switch 127 uponopening of the ignition switch 112 permits the heating element 130 tobecome energized. After a predetermined interval, the movable contact128 is sufficiently heated to disengage from the contact 129. Theopening of the contacts 128 and 129 deenergizes the relay coil B whichpermits the relay contacts 118 to open thereby deenergizing the lamp114.

The light control system shown in FIG. 2 includes a manually operatedbypass switch 141 connected between the supply line 111 and the junctionpoint 140. It will be obvious that the lamp 114 may be energized throughthe control VEHICLE LIGHT CONTROL AND WARNING INDICATOR SYSTEMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to automotive vehiclelight control systems and more particularly to improved time delaycontrol systems which will automatically deenergize the illuminatinglamps of an automotive vehicle after a predetermined time delay in theevent the lamps have been left energized when the ignition switch isturned off.

Heretofore, various time delay control systems for automaticallydisconnecting vehicle lighting systems have been proposed to providetemporary lighting for a driver parking his vehicle in an unlighted areaor to prevent excessive discharge of the vehicle battery when thelighting system is inadvertently left energized. In one prior artcontrol system disclosed in the Jerome C. Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,626,issued Aug. 12, 1952, a thermal time delay switch controlled by a switchassociated with the driver's seat disconnects the vehicle lamps when thedriver leaves his seat. Other systems such as disclosed in the WilliamPoznik U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,664, issued Feb. 16, 1954, employ athermostatic switch responsive to the temperature of the vehicle engineto deenergize the lighting system upon cooling of the vehicle engine.Still other prior control systems such as disclosed in the Paul C. CrumU.S. Pat. No. 2,751,507, issued June 19, 1956, require the replacementof the usual headlight control switch with a specially constructedself-opening switch with detent means controlled by a time delay device.

Several prior patents have proposed control systems in which a thermaltime delay switch has its heating element controlled by the ignitionswitch to deenergize the headlamps a predetermined length of time afterthe ignition switch is turned off..Such a system shown in the William H.Long U.S. Pat. No. 2,793,301, issued May 21, 1957, is not entirelysatisfactory since the heating element remains energized after thelighting circuit has been deenergized. This disadvantage is obviated byproviding the time delay switch with a detent or latch for mechanicallymaintaining the time delay switch in its open or operated position asshown, for example, in the Irving D. Shapiro U.S.'Pat. No. 2,806,980,issued Sept. 17, 1957. However, the latter type of system requiresinstallation of the time delay switch in a location readily accessibleto the vehicle driver since the delay switch must be manually resetafter its operation.

Accordingly, an improved lamp control system constructed in accordancewith the principles of my invention, is inexpensive, convenient andsafely operated. The operation of such system is completely automaticand any manual resetting or actuation of ancillary switches or othermechanisms is obviated. Moreover, a system employing the principles ofmy invention, may be readily adapted to existing headlight circuitswithout the necessity of replacing the headlight control switch with anelaborate mechanical switch. Also, once the headlights have beenautomatically deenergized no current flow obtains in any portion of thesystem which might result in the continued discharge of the battery overan extended period of time. The control system of this invention is alsoeasily and inexpensively adapted for automatic deenergization of anaccessory such as a spotlight and the lighting system may be operatedwhen the ignition switch is in the off position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect of the present invention,there is provided an improved time delay control system for a vehicleillu minating lamp comprising normally open relay contacts and thevehicle lamp control switch connected in series in the lamp energizingcircuit. Electromagnetic actuating means for the normally open relaycontacts are connected to the vehicle battery through a first relayenergizing circuit including the vehicle ignition switch and through asecond relay energizing circuit including in series connection thenormally open relay contacts, the lamp control switch and a normallyclosed time delay switch. The relay actuating means thus may beinitially energized by closing of the ignition switch but will bemaintained energized independently of the ignition switch by the secondrelay energizing circuit. The electrical operating winding of the timedelay switch is connected to the vehicle battery through a circuitincluding the second relay energizing circuit which is arranged toenergize the operating winding in response to opening of the ignitionswitch. The operating winding is thus responsive to energization of thesecond relay energizing circuit only when the ignition switch is turnedoff to effect opening of the time delay switch a predetermined length oftime after opening of the ignition switch. The time delay switch whenopened interrupts the second relay energizing circuit to deenergize boththe relay actuating means and the operating winding of the time delayswitch. Although the lamp control switch remains closed, the relayactuating means cannot be reenergized until the ignition switch is againclosed thereby maintaining the illuminating lamp and all operatingelements of the control system deenergized. Preferably, the time delayswitch is of the bimetal operated type having a heating element whilethe first and second relay energizing circuits include unidirectionalconducting elements such as diodes to prevent current flow from onerelay energizing circuit to the other. These and other features andadvantages may be more fully understood in the detailed descriptionwhich follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of this description,reference will frequently be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic diagram of another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic diagram of an additional embodiment ofthe invention.

7 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings, and more particularly to FIG, 1, thereof, there is shown oneembodiment of the invention which illustrates its basic principles andoperation. As shown in FIG. 1, the novel vehicle light control system isadapted for use with a conventional automotive electrical systemincluding a battery 10 or other direct current source of electricalenergy having a grounded negative terminal and a positive terminalconnected to a main supply line 11, an ignition switch 12 connectedbetween the supply line 11 and an ignition supply conductor 13 for theignition system of an internal combustion engine, a groundedilluminating lamp l4, and a manually operated lamp control switch 15with one side connected to the supply line 11. The ignition switch 12may be of the key-operated type usually provided in automotive vehiclesto control the ignition, starting and accessory circuits. Althoughidentified as an ignition switch 12 connected to an ignition supplyconductor, it will be apparent that the switch 12 may also be theaccessory portion of an ignition switch in which case the conductor 13would be the accessory supply conductor. It will also be apparent thatthe switch 12 may be the operation controlling switch for vehicledriving prime movers other than internal combustion engines. The lamp 14is representative of one or more of the exterior illuminating lamps suchas headlamps, parking lamps, and tail lamps found in the usual vehiclelighting system. The control switch 15 is shown as a single pole, singlethrow switch but may be a conventional three-position light switch ofthe push-pull type.

In accordance with this invention as embodied in FIG. 1, there isprovided a main electromagnetic relay 16 and a time delay switch 17 forautomatically interrupting the energizing circuit of the lamp 114 at apredetermined time interval after switch 115 whenever the bypass switch141 is closed. The

DESCRIPTION OF THIRD PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 3 illustrates stillanother embodiment of the invention wherein components similar tocorresponding components of the FIG. 1 circuit are identified by thesame reference numerals with the prefix 2.

In this embodiment, the heating element 230 of the time delay switch 217has a low resistance value and is connected between the movable contact228and the diode 223 in series with the coil 220 of the main relay 216.No auxiliary switch such as the relay switch 27 of'FlG. 1 or the switch127 of FIG. 2 is necessary in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the energizing circuit for the illuminating lamp 214extends from the battery 210 through the supply line 211, control switch215, relay contacts 218, terminal 219 and lamp 214 to ground. The coil220 of the relay 216 is grounded atone end and at the other end isconnected to the junction point 221 of two diodes 222 and 223. The otherside of the diode 222 is connected at the junction point 224 with theignition switch 212 and the ignition circuit supply conduc' tor 213. Theother side of the diode 223 is connected by the heating element 230 andthe contacts 228 and 229 of the time delay switch to the terminal 219.

In operation of the third embodiment, the closing of the ignition switch212 will energize the relay coil 220 through the diode 222 therebyresulting in the closing of the relay contacts 218. The diode 223 blocksany current flow to the heating element 230 and the illuminating lamp214 through the ignition switch 212 but the illuminating lamp 214 may beenergized as desired by closing the control switch 215. No substantialcurrent will flow through the heating element 230 from the terminal 219while the ignition switch 212 remains closed because the voltage atterminal 219 is substantially equal to that at the junction point 221.

If the control switch 215 is left closed after the ignition switch 212has been opened, the relay coil 220 will remain energized through asecond relay energizing circuit extending cludes a supply stationarycontact and terminal 350, a tail lamp stationary contact and terminal351, a parking lamp stationary contact and terminal 352, and astationary headlamp contact and terminal 353, as well as a movablecontact bridging member 354. In the illustrated full line or "ofposition of the bridging member 354, the latter is disengaged from thestationary contacts. In the parking lamps on" position of the bridgingmember 354 as indicated by the dotted lines 354A, the bridging member354 connects the tail lamp contact 351 and the parking lamp contact 352to the supply contact 350. In the headlamps on" position of the bridgingmember 354 as indicated by the dotted lines 3548, the bridging member354 connects the tail lamp contact 351 and the headlamp contact 353 tothe supply contact 350. The tail light contact 351 and the parking lightcontact 352 are connected, respectively, to the terminal 355 of the taillamp 314T and the terminal 356 of the parking light 314?. The headlampcontact 353 is connected at the junction point 357 to the movablecontact 358 of the usual foot operated dimmer switch 359. The dimmerswitch 359 may be the conventional ratchet type of switch in which themovable contact 358 alternately engages the stationary contacts 360 and361 and remains in its last actuated position until moved to theopposite contact. The stationary contact 360 and 361 are connected,respectively, to the terminal 362 of the headlamp from the battery 210through the control switch 215, the relay contacts 218, terminal 219,the contacts 229 and 228, the heating element 230 and the diode 223. Thecurrent flow in this holding circuit through the heating element 230causes the heating element to heat the movable contact 228. After apredetermined interval of time, the movable contact 228 is sufficientlyheated to disengage from the contact 229. The opening of the contacts228 and 229 deenergizes the relay coil 220 which permits the relaycontacts 218 to open and thereby deenergize the lamp 214.

An adjustable variable resistor 242 may be connected in parallel withthe relay coil 220 at the junction point 221, to provide for adjustmentof the time interval in which the time delay switch 217 opens itscontacts. It will be apparent that a change in the resistance value ofthe resistor 242 will change the current flow through the heatingelement 230 of the time delay switch 217 and hence the period of timedelay.

DESCRIPTION OF FOURTH PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 4 illustrates anadditional embodiment of the invention wherein components similar tocorresponding components of the FIG. 1 circuit are identified by thesame reference numerals with the prefix 3. In this embodiment, the usuallighting system for automotive vehicles is illustrated as includinggrounded high beam headlamps 314HB, grounded low beam headlamps 314LB,grounded parking lamps 314P, and grounded tail lamps 314T. Selectiveenergization of these illuminating lamps is controlled by a conventionalmanually operated lamp control switch 315. The control switch 315 in-314HB and the terminal 363 of the headlamp 314LB. The vehicle electricalsystem is also shown as including a battery 310 having a groundednegative terminal and a positive terminal connected to a main supply311. The main supply line 311 is connected to ajunction point 324Awhich, in turn, is connected to a double circuit ignition switch 312having contacts 312A and 3128 mechanically linked to each other. Whenthe double circuit ignition switch is closed, both of its contacts aresimultaneously closed and current flow is provided from junction 324A toignition supply conductor 313 through contact 312A and current flow isalso established from junction 324A to junction 3248 through contact3128. Upon closing the double circuit ignition switch 312 and itscontact 3128, current flow is also provided from junction 324A throughthe contact 312B tojunction 314 and thence to the accessory conductor315. An interior-mounted courtesy or dome lamp 364 is also connectedtomain supply line 311 and two door-actuated switches 365 and 366 areconnected between the dome lamp 364 and ground. When at least one of thevehicle doors is open, at least one of the door-actuated switches 365 or366 is closed to energize the lamp 364.

In accordance with one'feature of this invention, there are provided twoelectromagnetic relays 316 and 326 and a time delay switch 317 forautomatically deenergizing the lamps of the exterior lighting system ata predetermined time interval after the ignition switch 312 has beenturned off with any lamps of the lighting system energized. The normallyopen contacts 318 of the main relay 316 are connected in the energizingcircuit of the lighting system between the supply line 311 and ajunctionpoint 367 which is connected to the supply contact 350 of the controlswitch 315. The coil 320 of the main relay 316 is grounded at one endand is connected at the other end to the junction point 368 of a diode322 and the movable contact 328 of the time delay switch 317. The otherside of the diode 322 is connected to the ignition switch 312 and theignition circuit supply conductor 313 at the junction points 324A and324B. Also connected to the junction point 3248 is one end of the coil325 of the auxiliary relay 326 which has its other end grounded. Thestationary contact of the normally closed contacts 327 of the relay 326is connected to ground through an adjustable variable resistor 369. Theheating element 330 which is in a heat transferring relation with thebimetallic movable contact 328 is connected between the movable contactof the relay contacts 327 and the junction point 368. A diode 323 isconnected at one side of the terminal 355 of the tail lamp 314T and isconnected at its other side to the stationary contact 329 of the timedelay switch 317 at the junction point 370.

The fourthembodiment of the invention thus far described operates insubstantially the same manner as does the first embodiment. The closingof the ignition switch 312 will energize the relay coil 325 therebyopening the relay contacts 327. At the same time, the relay coil 320 isenergized through the ignition switch 312 and the diode 322 to causeclosing of the relay contacts 318. Although the tail lamp 314T isconnected to the junction point 368 by the diode 323 and the normallyclosed contacts 328 and 329 of the time delay switch 317, the lamp isnot energized through this circuit because of the blocking action of thediode 323. The heating element 330 also is not energized since theopened relay contacts 327 prevent energization of the heating element330 whenever the ignition switch 312 is closed.

After closing of the ignition switch 312, the illuminating lamps may beenergized as desired. If the bridging member 354 of the control switch315 is moved to the parking lamps on position indicated at 354A, theparking lamp 314? and the tail lamp 314T will be energized since thelamp energizing circuit to the supply contact 350 of the control switch315 will be completed through the supply line 311, relay contacts 318,and the junction point 367. Similarly, the headlamps 314LB and 3l4I-IBmay be selectively energized throughthe dimmer switch 359 when thebridging member 354 of the control switch 315 is moved to the headlampson position indicated at 354B.

If the bridging member 354 of the control switch 315 remains in eitherof its operated positions 354A or 3548 after opening of the ignitionswitch 312, the relay coil 320 will remain energized through a holdingcircuit extending from the battery 310 through the supply conductor 311,relay contacts 318, junction point 367, supply contact 350 of thecontrol switch 315, terminal 355, diode 323, junction point 370,contacts 329 and 328 of the time delay switch 317, and junction point368. The diode 322 blocks any current flow from this second relayenergizing circuit to the ignition circuit supply conductor 313 and tothe coil 325 of the auxiliary relay 326. The relay coil 325 is thusdeenergized upon opening of the ignition switch 312 and the relaycontacts 327 close to energize the heating element 330 of the time delayswitch 317. After a predetermined time interval adjustably set by thevariable resistor 369, the movable contact 328 is sufficiently heated bythe heating element 330 to disengage from the contact 329. The openingof the contacts 328 and 329 deenergize the relay coil 320 which in turncauses the relay contacts 318 to open. The opening of the relay contacts318 interrupts the lamp energizing circuit to the control switch 315thereby deenergizing the illuminating lamps. The illuminating lamps, thetime delay switch 317, and the relay coil 320 will remain deenergizeduntil the ignition switch 312 is closed again.

The light control system shown in FIG. 4 further includes a manuallyoperated bypass switch 371 generally similar in construction to that ofthe control switch 315. The bypass switch 371 comprises a stationarysupply contact 372 connected to the battery 310 by the supply conductor311, a stationary tail lamp contact 373 connected to the terminal 355 ofthe tail lamp 314T, a stationary parking lamp contact 374 connected tothe terminal 356 of the parking lamp 314P, a stationary headlamp contact375 connected to the junction point 357, and a movable bridging member376. In the illustrated full line or off" position of the bridgingmember 376, the latter is disengaged from the stationary contacts. Inthe parking lamps on" position of the bridging member 376 as indicatedby the dotted lines 376A, the bridging member 376 connects the tail lampcontact 373 and the parking lamp contact 374 to the supply contact 372.In the headlamp on" position of the bridging member 376 as indicated bythe dotted lines 3768, the bridging member 376 connects the tail lampcontact 373 and the headlamp contact 375 to the supply contact 372. Inthe event a component of the light control system should fail, thebridging contact member 376 of the bypass switch 371 may be shifted toeither of its on positions to provide direct energization of theilluminating lamps. The bypass switch 371 also may be used to energizethe headlamps without use of the ignition switch 312.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the light controlsystem shown in FIG. 4 includes means for automatically energizing thelow beam headlamp 314LB in the event the relay 316 fails to close itscontacts 318 when the ignition switch 312 is closed. For this purpose,the main relay 316 is provided with the normally closed contacts 377which are opened when the relay coil 320 is energized. The movablecontact of the contacts 377 is connected to the junction point 3248while the stationary contact is connected at the junction point 378 withone end of the coil 379 of a safety relay 380 which is grounded at theother end. The normally open contacts 381 of the safety relay 380 areconnected between the supply line 311 and the terminal 363 of the lowbeam headlamp 314LB. In normal operation of the light control system asdescribed above, the relay contacts 377 will be opened whenever therelay coil 320 is energized. Thus, the relay coil 379 will not beenergized from the supply line 311 through the ignition switch 312. If,however, due to a failure of the relay 316 the relay coil 320 fails toopen the contacts 377 when the ignition switch 312 is closed, the relaycoil 379 will be energized through the ignition switch 312 and the relaycontacts 377. The energization of the relay coil 379 causes the relaycontacts 381 to close thereby energizing the low beam headlamp 314LBdirectly from the supply conductor 311 as long as the ignition switch312 remains closed. A pilot light 382 or other indicator may beconnected to the junction point 378 in parallel with the relay coil 379to warn the vehicle driver of the failure of the relay 316.

A spotlight 383 or other accessory with its control switch 384 may beused with the light control system shown in FIG. 4. The accessorycontrol switch 384 is connected between the junction point 367 and theterminal 385 of the spotlight 383 while the terminal 385 is connected bya unidirectional conducting element or diode to the junction point 370.The diode 386 is connected to block current flow from the junction point370 to the spotlight terminal 385 and to permit current flow in theopposite direction. It is apparent the spotlight 383 may be energizedwhen both the relay switch 318 and the accessory control switch 384 areclosed following closing of the ignition switch 312. If the accessorycontrol switch 384 is left closed after the ignition switch 312 has beenopened, the relay coil 320 will remain energized through a circuitextending from the battery 310 through the relay contacts 318, theaccessory control switch 384, diode 386, and contacts 329 and 328 of thetime delay switch 317. .The heating element 330 of the time delay switch317 is also energized through this same circuit and after apredetermined time causes the opening of the contacts 328 and 329 todeenergize the relay coil 320. Thus, the spotlight 383 is automaticallycontrolled by the light control system of FIG. 4 in the same manner asare the illuminating lamps.

If desired, the light control system shown in FIG. 4 may also beprovided with means for giving a warning signal when an operator of thevehicle leaves the vehicle while the illuminating lamps are leftenergized. For this purpose, the auxiliary relay 326 may be providedwith normally closed contacts 387 connected between the junction point367 and the terminal 388 of a pilot light 389 or other electric warningindicator device. Another electric warning device such as a sounder 390may be connected between the terminal 388 and the terminal 391 of thedoor switch 365 which is preferably associated with the vehicle door onthe operator's side. If, after the ignition switch is opened, the relaycoil 320 remains energized due to one or both of the control switches315 and 384 being closed, the pilot light 389 will be energized throughthe relay contacts 318 and 387. If the door switch 365 now is closed byopening of the vehicle doors, the sounder 390 will also be energized. Aunidirectional conducting element or diode 392 may be connected betweenthe dome lamp 364 and the terminal 391 to prevent energization of thesounder 390 through any door switch other than the switch 365. Also, aunidirectional conducting element or diode 393 is connected between theterminal 391 and the sounder 390 to prevent reverse current flow throughthe sounder 390 and pilot light 389 from the power supply line 311 viathe dome lamp 364 when contacts 387 are open.

It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are merelyillustrative of the application of the principles ofthe invcntion.Various modifications may be made to these embodiments without departingfrom the true spirit of the invention.

I claim:

I. An automatic lamp disconnecting system for an automotive vehicleelectrical system having a source of electrical energy,

a prime mover controlling system for a vehicle driving prime moverincluding a prime mover controlling switch connected between the sourceof electrical energy and a prime mover operating circuit,

and a lighting system including an exterior illuminating lamp and acontrol switch for controlling the flow of current from the source ofelectrical energy to the illuminating lamp,

wherein theimprovement comprises:

a relay having normally open contacts and electromagnetic actuatingmeans operative when energized from said I source to close said normallyopen contacts;

a lamp energizing circuit between said lamp and said source includingsaid normally open contacts and said control switch in seriesconnection;

a first relay energizing circuit connecting said relay actuating meansto said source through said prime mover controlling switch forenergizing said actuating means to close said relay contacts uponclosing of the prime mover controlling switch;

a second relay energizing circuit independent of said prime movercontrolling switch to maintain the actuating means of said relayenergized following opening of the prime mover controlling switch, saidsecond relay energizing circuit connecting the actuating means of saidrelay to said source and including said relay contacts and said controlswitch in series connection; t

normally closed time delay switch connected in said second energi'zingcircuit for automatically deenergizing the actuating means of saidrelay, if energized, a predetermined time after opening of prime movercontrolling switch;

and operating means for the time delay switch connected to said secondrelay energizing circuit and responsive to energization of said secondrelay energizing circuit only when said prime mover controlling switchis opened to effect opening of said time delay switch a predeterminedtime after opening of the prime mover controlling switch.

2. The improvement set forth in claim I wherein said time delay switchis of the thermally actuated type including a movable bimetal operatedcontact and an electric heating element.

3. An automatic lamp disconnecting system for an automotive vehicleelectrical system having a source of direct current electrical energy,

a prime mover controlling system for a vehicle driving prime moverincluding a prime mover controlling switch connected between the sourceof electrical energy and a prime mover operating circuit,

and a lighting system including an exterior illuminating lamp and acontrol switch for controlling the flow of current from the source ofelectrical energy to the illuminating lamp,

wherein the improvement comprises:

a relay having normally open contacts and electromagnetic actuatingmeans operative when energized from said source to close said normallyopen contacts;

a lamp energizing circuit between said lamp and said source includingsaid normally open contacts of the relay and said control switch inseries connection;

a first .relay energizing circuit connecting the actuating means of saidrelay to said source through said prime mover controlling switch;

a normally closed time delay switch provided with an operating windingand means to open the delay switch after a predetermined period ofenergization of the operating winding;

a second relay energizing circuit connecting the actuating means of saidrelay to said source independently of said prime mover controllingswitch, and including in series connection said relay contacts, saidcontrol switch and said delay switch;

a normally closed auxiliary switch controlled by said prime movercontrolling switch and arranged to open in response to closing of saidprime mover controlling switch;

and an operating winding energizing circuit connecting the operatingwinding of said delay switch to said source, and including in seriesconnection said relay contacts, said control switch, said delay switch,said operating winding and said auxiliary switch.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said time delayswitch is of the thermally actuated type including a bimetal operatedcontact and said operating winding is a heating element in a heattransferring relation with the bimetal operated contact.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said time delayswitch is of the thermally actuated type including a movable bimetaloperated contact and said operating winding is a heating element in aheat transferring relation with the bimetal-operated contact, saidoperating winding energizing circuit including a variable resistance inseries with said heating element for adjustably regulating the currentflow therethrough and hence the period of time delay.

6. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electromagneticactuating means includes a magnetic structure having a single coilconnected to said source by each of said first and second relayenergizing circuits; said first relay energizing circuit including afirst unidirectional conducting element connected in series with saidprime mover controlling switch; said first unidirectional conductingelement being poled in a direction to prevent current flow from saidsource through said second relay energizing circuit to said prime moveroperating circuit; and said second relay energizing circuit including asecond unidirectional conducting element connected in series with saiddelay switch; said second unidirectional conducting element being poledin a direction to prevent current flow from said source through saidfirst relay energizing circuit to said illuminating lamp.

7. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electromagneticactuating means includes a magnetic structure having a first coilconnected to said source by said first relay energizing circuit, and asecond coil connected to said source by said second relay energizingcircuit, either coil when energized operating to close said relaycontacts.

8. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 including a normally openbypass switch connected in parallel circuit with said normally opencontacts of the relay, said bypass switch being manually operated forenergization of said illuminating lamp independently of said relaycontacts.

9. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 including a normally openbypass switch connected in parallel circuit with said prime movercontrolling switch, said bypass switch being manually operated forenergization of said electromagnetic actuating means independently ofsaid prime mover controlling switch.

10. An automatic lamp disconnecting system for an automotive vehicleelectrical system having a source ofdirect current electrical energy,

a prime mover controlling system for a vehicle driving prime moverincluding prime mover controlling switch connected between the source ofelectrical energy and a prime mover operating circuit,

ill

and a lighting system including a headlamp, a tail lamp and a manuallyoperated multiple position control switch with supply, headlamp and taillamp terminals for controlling the flow of current from the source ofelectrical energy to the headlamp and tail lamp, said multiple positioncontrol switch having an off position in which said supply terminal isdisconnected from the other terminals and an on position in which saidsupply terminal is connected to said headlamp and tail lamp terminals,

wherein the improvement comprises:

a main relay having a set of normally open contacts and electromagneticactuating means including a coil operative when energized from saidsource to close said normally open contacts;

a lamp energizing circuit connecting said headlamp and tail lamp to saidsource through said multiple position control switch including thenormally open contacts of said main relay connected between said sourceand the supply terminal of said multiple position control switch, saidlamp energizing circuit further including conductors connecting saidheadlamp and said tail lamp, respectively, to said headlamp and taillamp terminals of the multiple position control switch; 7

a thermal time delay device including a heating element and a normallyclosed, bimetal-operated delay switch arranged to open after apredetermined period of energization of said heating element;

a first relay energizing circuit connecting the coil of said main relayto said source through said prime mover controlling switch;

a second relay energizing circuit connecting the coil of said main relayto said source through said multiple position control switch and thenormally open contacts of said main relay and including said delayswitch connected between the coil of said main relay and said tail lampter' minal of the control switch;

said first relay energizing circuit including a first unidirectionalconducting element connected in series with said prime mover controllingswitch and said coil of the main relay to prevent current flow from saidsource through said second relay energizing circuit to said ignitioncircuit;

said second relay energizing circuit including a second unidirectionalconducting element connected in series with said delay switch and saidcoil of the main relay to prevent current flow from said source throughsaid first relay energizing circuit to said tail lamp terminal of themultiple position control switch;

an auxiliary relay'having a set of normally closed contacts. andelectromagnetic means including a coil operative when energized fromsaid source to open said normally closed contacts;

heating element energizing circuit includes a variable resistance inseries with said heating element for adjustably regulating the currentflow therethrough and hence the period of time delay.

12. The improvement as set forth in claim 10 including a normally openbypass switch connected between said source and said headlamp terminalof the multiple position control switch, said bypass switch beingmanually operated for energization of said headlamp independently of thenormally open contacts of said main relay.

13, The improvement as set forth in claim 10 wherein said main relayincludes a set of normally closed contacts opened in response toenergization of the coil of said main relay, safety relay means havingswitch means operative when said safety relay means are energized toconnect said headlamp directly to said source, and means for connectingsaid safety relay means to said source including in series connectionsaid prime mover controlling switch and the normally closed contacts ofsaid main relay.

14. The improvement as set forth in claim 10 wherein said auxiliaryrelay includes a second set of normally closed contacts, an electricwarning indicator, and a warning indicator energizing circuit connectingsaid warning indicator to said source through said normally opencontacts of the main relay,

said second set of normally closed contacts and the supply terminal ofsaid multiple position control switch.

15. The improvement as set forth in claim 14 wherein saidwarningindicator energizing circuit includes, in series connection withsaid warning indicator, a normally open door-actuated switch which isclosed upon opening a vehicle door.

- 16. The improvement as set forth in claim 10 further including anauxiliary lamp, a manually operated auxiliary lamp control switch withsupply and auxiliary lamp terminals for controlling the flow of currentfrom the source of electrical energy to the auxiliary lamp, an auxiliarylamp energizing circuit connecting said auxiliary lamp control switch inseries with said normally open contacts and said second relay energizingcircuit, said auxiliary lamp energizing circuit including a thirdunidirectional conducting element connected in series with said delayswitch and said auxiliary lamp control switch to prevent current flowfrom said source through said delay switch to said auxiliary lamp.

1. An automatic lamp disconnecting system for an automotive vehicleelectrical system having a source of electrical energy, a prime movercontrolling system for a vehicle driving prime mover including a primemover controlling switch connected between the source of electricalenergy and a prime mover operating circuit, and a lighting systemincluding an exterior illuminating lamp and a control switch forcontrolling the flow of current from the source of electrical energy tothe illuminating lamp, wherein the improvement comprises: a relay havingnormally open contacts and electromagnetic actuating meaNs operativewhen energized from said source to close said normally open contacts; alamp energizing circuit between said lamp and said source including saidnormally open contacts and said control switch in series connection; afirst relay energizing circuit connecting said relay actuating means tosaid source through said prime mover controlling switch for energizingsaid actuating means to close said relay contacts upon closing of theprime mover controlling switch; a second relay energizing circuitindependent of said prime mover controlling switch to maintain theactuating means of said relay energized following opening of the primemover controlling switch, said second relay energizing circuitconnecting the actuating means of said relay to said source andincluding said relay contacts and said control switch in seriesconnection; a normally closed time delay switch connected in said secondenergizing circuit for automatically deenergizing the actuating means ofsaid relay, if energized, a predetermined time after opening of primemover controlling switch; and operating means for the time delay switchconnected to said second relay energizing circuit and responsive toenergization of said second relay energizing circuit only when saidprime mover controlling switch is opened to effect opening of said timedelay switch a predetermined time after opening of the prime movercontrolling switch.
 2. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein saidtime delay switch is of the thermally actuated type including a movablebimetal operated contact and an electric heating element.
 3. Anautomatic lamp disconnecting system for an automotive vehicle electricalsystem having a source of direct current electrical energy, a primemover controlling system for a vehicle driving prime mover including aprime mover controlling switch connected between the source ofelectrical energy and a prime mover operating circuit, and a lightingsystem including an exterior illuminating lamp and a control switch forcontrolling the flow of current from the source of electrical energy tothe illuminating lamp, wherein the improvement comprises: a relay havingnormally open contacts and electromagnetic actuating means operativewhen energized from said source to close said normally open contacts; alamp energizing circuit between said lamp and said source including saidnormally open contacts of the relay and said control switch in seriesconnection; a first relay energizing circuit connecting the actuatingmeans of said relay to said source through said prime mover controllingswitch; a normally closed time delay switch provided with an operatingwinding and means to open the delay switch after a predetermined periodof energization of the operating winding; a second relay energizingcircuit connecting the actuating means of said relay to said sourceindependently of said prime mover controlling switch, and including inseries connection said relay contacts, said control switch and saiddelay switch; a normally closed auxiliary switch controlled by saidprime mover controlling switch and arranged to open in response toclosing of said prime mover controlling switch; and an operating windingenergizing circuit connecting the operating winding of said delay switchto said source, and including in series connection said relay contacts,said control switch, said delay switch, said operating winding and saidauxiliary switch.
 4. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid time delay switch is of the thermally actuated type including abimetal operated contact and said operating winding is a heating elementin a heat transferring relation with the bimetal operated contact. 5.The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said time delay switchis of the thermally actuated type including a movable bimetal operatedcontact and said operating winding is a heating element in a heattransferring relation with tHe bimetal-operated contact, said operatingwinding energizing circuit including a variable resistance in serieswith said heating element for adjustably regulating the current flowtherethrough and hence the period of time delay.
 6. The improvement asset forth in claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic actuating meansincludes a magnetic structure having a single coil connected to saidsource by each of said first and second relay energizing circuits; saidfirst relay energizing circuit including a first unidirectionalconducting element connected in series with said prime mover controllingswitch; said first unidirectional conducting element being poled in adirection to prevent current flow from said source through said secondrelay energizing circuit to said prime mover operating circuit; and saidsecond relay energizing circuit including a second unidirectionalconducting element connected in series with said delay switch; saidsecond unidirectional conducting element being poled in a direction toprevent current flow from said source through said first relayenergizing circuit to said illuminating lamp.
 7. The improvement as setforth in claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic actuating means includes amagnetic structure having a first coil connected to said source by saidfirst relay energizing circuit, and a second coil connected to saidsource by said second relay energizing circuit, either coil whenenergized operating to close said relay contacts.
 8. The improvement asset forth in claim 3 including a normally open bypass switch connectedin parallel circuit with said normally open contacts of the relay, saidbypass switch being manually operated for energization of saidilluminating lamp independently of said relay contacts.
 9. Theimprovement as set forth in claim 3 including a normally open bypassswitch connected in parallel circuit with said prime mover controllingswitch, said bypass switch being manually operated for energization ofsaid electromagnetic actuating means independently of said prime movercontrolling switch.
 10. An automatic lamp disconnecting system for anautomotive vehicle electrical system having a source of direct currentelectrical energy, a prime mover controlling system for a vehicledriving prime mover including prime mover controlling switch connectedbetween the source of electrical energy and a prime mover operatingcircuit, and a lighting system including a headlamp, a tail lamp and amanually operated multiple position control switch with supply, headlampand tail lamp terminals for controlling the flow of current from thesource of electrical energy to the headlamp and tail lamp, said multipleposition control switch having an off position in which said supplyterminal is disconnected from the other terminals and an on position inwhich said supply terminal is connected to said headlamp and tail lampterminals, wherein the improvement comprises: a main relay having a setof normally open contacts and electromagnetic actuating means includinga coil operative when energized from said source to close said normallyopen contacts; a lamp energizing circuit connecting said headlamp andtail lamp to said source through said multiple position control switchincluding the normally open contacts of said main relay connectedbetween said source and the supply terminal of said multiple positioncontrol switch, said lamp energizing circuit further includingconductors connecting said headlamp and said tail lamp, respectively, tosaid headlamp and tail lamp terminals of the multiple position controlswitch; a thermal time delay device including a heating element and anormally closed, bimetal-operated delay switch arranged to open after apredetermined period of energization of said heating element; a firstrelay energizing circuit connecting the coil of said main relay to saidsource through said prime mover controlling switch; a second relayenergizing circuit connecting the coil of sAid main relay to said sourcethrough said multiple position control switch and the normally opencontacts of said main relay and including said delay switch connectedbetween the coil of said main relay and said tail lamp terminal of thecontrol switch; said first relay energizing circuit including a firstunidirectional conducting element connected in series with said primemover controlling switch and said coil of the main relay to preventcurrent flow from said source through said second relay energizingcircuit to said ignition circuit; said second relay energizing circuitincluding a second unidirectional conducting element connected in serieswith said delay switch and said coil of the main relay to preventcurrent flow from said source through said first relay energizingcircuit to said tail lamp terminal of the multiple position controlswitch; an auxiliary relay having a set of normally closed contacts andelectromagnetic means including a coil operative when energized fromsaid source to open said normally closed contacts; a circuit forenergizing the coil of said auxiliary relay from said source including aconductor connecting said coil of the auxiliary relay to said primemover controlling switch in parallel circuit with said prime moveroperating circuit; and a heating element energizing circuit connectingsaid heating element to said source through said delay switch, saidmultiple position control switch, and the normally open contacts of saidmain relay and including said normally closed contacts of the auxiliaryrelay.
 11. The improvement as set forth in claim 10 wherein said heatingelement energizing circuit includes a variable resistance in series withsaid heating element for adjustably regulating the current flowtherethrough and hence the period of time delay.
 12. The improvement asset forth in claim 10 including a normally open bypass switch connectedbetween said source and said headlamp terminal of the multiple positioncontrol switch, said bypass switch being manually operated forenergization of said headlamp independently of the normally opencontacts of said main relay.
 13. The improvement as set forth in claim10 wherein said main relay includes a set of normally closed contactsopened in response to energization of the coil of said main relay,safety relay means having switch means operative when said safety relaymeans are energized to connect said headlamp directly to said source,and means for connecting said safety relay means to said sourceincluding in series connection said prime mover controlling switch andthe normally closed contacts of said main relay.
 14. The improvement asset forth in claim 10 wherein said auxiliary relay includes a second setof normally closed contacts, an electric warning indicator, and awarning indicator energizing circuit connecting said warning indicatorto said source through said normally open contacts of the main relay,said second set of normally closed contacts and the supply terminal ofsaid multiple position control switch.
 15. The improvement as set forthin claim 14 wherein said warning indicator energizing circuit includes,in series connection with said warning indicator, a normally opendoor-actuated switch which is closed upon opening a vehicle door. 16.The improvement as set forth in claim 10 further including an auxiliarylamp, a manually operated auxiliary lamp control switch with supply andauxiliary lamp terminals for controlling the flow of current from thesource of electrical energy to the auxiliary lamp, an auxiliary lampenergizing circuit connecting said auxiliary lamp control switch inseries with said normally open contacts and said second relay energizingcircuit, said auxiliary lamp energizing circuit including a thirdunidirectional conducting element connected in series with said delayswitch and said auxiliary lamp control switch to prevent current flowfrom said source through said delay switch to said auxiliary lamp.